LRAD Corp., which makes a unique sort of loudspeaker for militaries and governments, reported a net loss of $1.3 million, or 4 cents per share, on revenue of $16.4 million in its 2016 fiscal year, which ended on Sept. 30.

What does it mean when you say technology is state of the art? As time passes, that definition morphs into something new. Research, ingenuity and capital investment (by both individuals and governments) spur technology forward. Things get faster. Cheaper. And we hope, better.

Qualcomm Inc. said it demonstrated its first processor for data centers in a move interpreted as a challenge to rival processor-maker Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC). Qualcomm (Nasdaq: QCOM) added that it was distributing samples of its Centriq 2400 server processor to potential industry partners.

MiraCosta College said it received a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to administer workforce development programs in four community college districts in San Diego and San Bernardino counties.

A $1 billion British order for Predator unmanned aircraft is winding its bureaucratic way toward General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.
GA-ASI said it expects to start deliveries to the U.K. Royal Air Force in late 2018.

The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon Co. a five-year deal to provide engineering technical services and field services for specialty radar systems that go on small aircraft such as F/A-18 Hornets, EA-18G Growlers and Harrier jump jets.

Leidos — a Virginia corporation with roots in San Diego — said on Nov. 29 that it will deliver 22 of its VACIS X-ray scanners to customs inspectors at various U.S. ports of entry under a new deal that could be worth up to $66 million.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. said on Nov. 17 that it plans to sell more stock. The corporation plans to sell up to $50 million to fund the company’s high-performance unmanned combat aerial system program, and to pay down debt, CEO Eric DeMarco said via email.

The fiercely named Predator has drawn another humanitarian assignment.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. announced that it is making a company-owned and operated Predator C aircraft available for humanitarian aid missions.

TECH: System Can Estimate Traffic Speeds And Spot Pedestrians

For a long time, several tech companies serving the transportation industry have made San Diego their home. The common threads running through their businesses are video cameras and trip data. A camera in the cab of a big rig provides an extra set of eyes on the driver, the road and everything going on around them.

Maxwell Technologies Inc. — which makes energy-storage electronics called ultracapacitors, and relies heavily on a customer base in China — reported a third quarter net loss of $6.9 million on revenue of $25.5 million.

MaxLinear Inc., the Carlsbad microchip maker, reported net income of $9.7 million on revenue of $96.3 million in the third quarter. In the same quarter one year ago, MaxLinear (NYSE: MXL) reported dramatically less net income — $1.6 million — though revenue was 1 percent lower, at $95.2 million.

DEFENSE: Annual Report Shows Sector Has Greater Impact Than Tourism

San Diego no longer looks like the military town it was at mid-century, when Horton Plaza was full of sailors, when the Consolidated plant on Pacific Highway turned out military aircraft and when giant radio antennas dominated neighborhoods.

TECHNOLOGY: NXP Buy Opens New Doors for Chipmaker

A big acquisition — one worth $47 billion — has the potential to give Qualcomm Inc. a broader focus and much more heft.
Qualcomm (Nasdaq: QCOM) seemed to be resisting the semiconductor industry’s urge to pursue big acquisitions but finally revealed that it’s in the chase, too.